Choosing the Right Computer
Posted on 31. Oct, 2009 by Sheli Sod in Computer, Tips
Many people find that deciding what the right computer is for them is an overwhelming task. If you know what you want to do with your computer, the basic choices are pretty clear. The following is an article that I wrote for EzineArticles entitled What Kind of Computer Should I Buy with some updates and enhancements.
In order to answer this question properly, you need to decide what type of user you are and what special needs you may have. Additionally, you need to determine how much you want to spend and whether you would consider buying a used or refurbished computer.
General Guidelines
As a general rule, my opinion is that one should get the most computer that they can afford without getting the actual top of the line.
Computer technology changes rapidly and today’s super fast and capable computer rapidly becomes outdated. Unless you are interested in swapping your computer frequently, getting a very capable current computer should hold you for at least a few years.
The very top of the line computer demands a premium in price that is generally not worth it and one level below has at least 95% of the capability of the top.
If your budget doesn’t allow for this solution, you need to be aware of the trade offs in various choices that you will have to make.
Computer type selection
You should first decide if you want a laptop or desktop computer. I’ve discussed the issues at length in my article entitled Desktop or Laptop? The main question is if you have the need to be mobile even though your computer will probably cost more and possibly have less capability.
Depending on one’s finances, you may opt for used computer or for a blowout special. Great savings can be achieved by taking this route.
However, used computers present support challenges and the risk of early breakdown. Low priced bargain computers may be limited in ultimate capability and need to be carefully evaluated.
Heavy duty 3D gaming is a whole new world and generally pushes current computer technology to the limits with top of the line powerful and expensive units and is out of the scope of this article.
Component choices
1. Processor
If money is not a pressing issue, single core computers should not be purchased. Dual core processors are more powerful and, for most users, any dual core processor based computer should suffice for standard activities such as word processing, email, browsing the web, watching DVD’s, doing one’s finances and the vast majority of other tasks.
If you need to do heavy database querying, complicated mathematical computations and number crunching or heavy encryption, you should get one of the higher end processors.
2. Operating system
Assuming a Windows PC, the choices are between XP, Vista and Windows 7. My opinion is that you can do pretty much anything you want with XP and if you’re used to it, it will save you a lot of learning curve time. However. it’s getting a bit old and there are many nice features in Vista that it doesn’t have. It’s not easy to find a place that sells it and you can’t upgrade from it to Windows 7 directly.
Vista is a resource hog and had a lot of problems coming out of the gate. However, it has settled down quite a bit and is a reasonable alternative.
Windows 7 looks promising. However, it generally doesn’t pay to get serial number 1 of a product and become a pioneer. The joke goes, “How can you tell who the pioneers are?” The answer is they’re the ones with the arrows in the back. It might pay to wait until it’s been around a bit.
In terms of 64 bit versus 32 bit operating systems, 64 bit promises more performance but doesn’t make a big difference yet. The future will see systems taking better advantage of their capabilities. In the meantime, some things don’t work with 64 bit although I haven’t run into too many conflicts in my 64 bit system.
3. Monitor
A 17 inch monitor is probably the smallest that you should settle for. You can select larger ones if you so desire. Some monitors come with built in speakers if that suits your needs. If you want your computer to double as an entertainment center, you should consider purchasing a high definition or plasma monitor. Dell has an excellent summary of their choices
4. Memory
The most crucial factor in terms of computer performance is the amount of memory. When you buy computer memory, a minimum of a 2 gigabytes of high speed memory should be selected to support today’s demanding operating systems and programs. The more the merrier.
If one is engaged in heavy duty graphics such as CAD (Computer Aided Design) or 3D gaming, or if one is doing heavy database access or number crunching, even more memory should be added.
5. Hard Drive Size
Major manufacturers are offering drives with 250 Gigabytes of storage on their lowest end computers. This should be more than enough for most users.
In terms of speed, unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money for a souped up server drive, there isn’t a great deal of difference between the drives. Desktops generally use 7,200 RPM drives and laptops generally use 5,400 RPM drives. My article about buying a hard drive discusses this in detail.
6. CD and DVD burner
Drives that read and write to CDs and DVDs are cheap and you should specify read and write for both. Don’t accept CD read/write and DVD read only.
Blue Ray disks can hold up to 50 gigabytes but the drives needed to use them are more expensive than standard DVD drives. However, the price of these drives have come down a lot recently and it might pay to get one if you like high definition movies or want to store a lot of data on a Blue Ray DVD.
7. Video card
The type of card that you get depends on the type of activities that you are planning;
1. Basic user – word processing, internet browsing, email and DVD movies
The basic level card will suffice for this. It should have at least 128MB.
2. Vista Aero User or light gaming, rich media, and general entertainment
This capability requires mid level graphics power and a card with at least 256 MB of its own internal memory should be purchased.
3. Edit and view photographs in brilliant color
A mid level card should be used for this. All cards from this level and up should have at least 256 MB.
4. Playback HD quality content
The card should have HDMI outputs to attach to external displays.
5. 3D accelerated games in high definition player, CAD (Computer Aided Design), video editing or high level graphic design
3D gaming makes the greatest demands on the computer’s video systems and the sky is the limit here. In general, the highest level card that your system will accept will provide the most satisfying experience.
8. Sound and Speakers
The standard sound card offered by most manufacturers is fine. If you have special requirements, the major dealers describe the advantages of the various upgrade offerings.
Speakers project the sound of your computer. Better speakers provide subwoofers and different levels of surround sound.
9. Keyboard and mouse
Connected or wireless versions are offered. Be sure to get an optical mouse. They are much more reliable than a trackball mouse.
10. Media reader
These are usually listed as 15 in 1 or 13 in 1 card or media reader. This device allows you to directly get data off of a number of devices such as digital cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and others.
11. Modem
If you want to send or receive faxes or connect to the internet via a phone line where high speed internet may not be available, you will need a modem. In reality, it doesn’t pay to use a modem for fax purposes. Online faxing is the way to go.
12. Wireless network
If you plan to connect to a wireless network, you will need a wireless network card in your computer. Standard network cards are built in.
Best of luck with your purchase.
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